Portraits

Amelia Earhart was not the first woman to pilot a plane, nor was she arguably the best female pilot of her era. What makes her truly significant in the history of aviation and in the story of women in America is that she served as an unequaled role model. Her example captivated her generation and continues to inspire to this day.

She made evident to the larger world that women—when presented with the opportunity—could accomplish feats not previously imaginable. She confronted numerous challenges as a woman and as a pilot, but she found ways to surmount them without compromise. To me, she represents the unlimited possibility of human achievement. Her desire to lead made her the face of her age.